101625, Thursday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 229.4, GMI: 6.4, Steps (previous day): 8,448, Blood pressure: 127/77, 76, Reported Sleep 5:02 (58)

Journal Entry

We walked at University Place then had brunch at First Watch. 

We drove up to UofU medical facility for a doctor's appointment for Cathy with Dr. Sundaresh. She had had less than satisfactory appointments with him in the past but he is purported to be an accomplished endocrinologist and Cathy is trying to get her osteoporosis under control.

He is, I think, from India and we got the feeling that he is sort of dismissive of unaccompanied women. I decided to go with her this time and he was very attentive and helpful. We both were pleased with the visit and it looks like he is going to oversee her treatment for at least three next 6-12 months. Anyway, success so that was good.

Then we went to Fashion Place for Cathy but she couldn't find anything that she wanted so we ate at Cheese Cake Factory and came home.

Come Follow Me 

President Russell M. Nelson taught that if the Lord were speaking to us directly, the first thing He would make sure we understand is our true identity: we are children of God, children of the covenant, and disciples of Jesus Christ. Any other designation will ultimately let us down.

D&C 117:4 Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me? saith the Lord.

 "Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord calls coveting “the drop,” while neglecting “the more weighty matters.” Myopic selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage and makes thirty pieces of silver look like a treasure trove. In our intense acquisitiveness, we forget Him who once said, “What is property unto me?”

Such is the scope of putting off the burdensome natural man, who is naturally selfish. So much of our fatigue, brothers and sisters, in fact, comes from carrying that needless load. This heaviness of the natural man prevents us from doing our Christian calisthenics; so we end up too swollen with selfishness to pass through the narrow needle’s eye."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Apostle 

101525 Wednesday New First Presidency announced

Daily Vitals: Weight: 229.9, GMI: 6.4, Steps (previous day): 5,085, Blood pressure: 121/74, 71 Reported Sleep 6:03 (71)

Journal Entry

We went to breakfast today at First Watch and this was the view from our booth. The mountain is, I believe, Kyhv Peak.

President Oaks revealed yesterday that his new First Counselor will be President Henry B. Eyring and his Second Counselor is President D. Todd Christofferson.

I support those three completely. Now looking forward to finding out who the next Apostle will be.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 115:6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.

"Likewise, the stakes of Zion are “a refuge from the storm” because they are led by those who hold priesthood keys and exercise priesthood authority. As you continue to follow the counsel of those whom the Lord has authorized to guide you, you will feel greater safety."

President Russell M. Nelson 

101425, Tuesday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 229.9, GMI: 6.4, Steps (previous day): 8,102, Blood pressure: 117/69, 71 Reported Sleep 5:51 (70)

Journal Entry

Planning on a good day at the Bishops Storehouse. 

I saw my urologist yesterday and he was very encouraging. Apparently the difficulties I've been having with my prostate and urinary tract are declining and might be pretty much over. I'm very encouraged.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 115:5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

"A group of youth in Queen Creek, Arizona, determined to “arise and shine forth”...They each wrote something that they felt was holding them back or something they wanted to change in their lives in their journals, and then they literally dug a hole. They came together, tore out the journal page, and threw it into the hole...Then they buried those pages, and that day they each made a commitment to change...The call to “arise and shine forth” is a call to each of you to lead the world in a mighty cause—to raise the standard—and lead this generation in virtue, purity, and temple worthiness. If you desire to make a difference in the world, you must be different from the world. I echo the words of President Joseph F. Smith, who said to the women of his day: “It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead…the  women of the world, in everything that is…purifying"...As daughters [and sons] of God, you were born to lead."

President Elaine S, Dalton, Young Women General President, April 2012

101325, Monday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 229.0, GMI: 6.4, Steps (previous day): 1,861 Blood Pressure:126/72, 74, Reported Sleep 6:21 (77)

Journal Entry

Another doctors visit for me today. Urology. I think there is progress in that area but there are still some issues. 'Nuff said.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 115:4 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Thus, the name of the Church is not negotiable. When the Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should be and even precedes His declaration with, “Thus shall my church be called,” He is serious. And if we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.

What’s in a name or, in this case, a nickname? When it comes to nicknames of the Church, such as the “LDS Church,” the “Mormon Church,” or the “Church of the Latter-day Saints,” the most important thing in those names is the absence of the Savior’s name. To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan. When we discard the Savior’s name, we are subtly disregarding all that Jesus Christ did for us—even His Atonement."

President Russell M. Nelson 

101225, Sunday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 229.0, GMI: 6.4, Steps (previous day): 9,829, Blood Pressure, 1117/68, 73 Reported Sleep 4:18 (55)

Journal Entry

I got up very early today (before 0400) to watch the recording of last night's BYU vs Arizona football game. BYU won in overtime in a very entertaining (to me) game.

Problem was that I stayed up sorry if late last night to watch Michigan at USC. USC won that game so I'm 2-0 for this week. But tired.

I have no plans for today other than church so I should be OK.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 112:23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.

24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.

"We must acknowledge that the building up of Zion occurs in tumultuous times—“a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.” Thus, the gathering into stakes becomes “for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.”

Elder D.Todd Chrisofferson, Apostle 

101125, Saturday

 Daily Vitals: Weight: 226.8, GMI: 6.5, Steps (previous day): 3,040, Blood Pressure: 118/69, 71 Reported Sleep 6:37, (82)

Journal Entry

For medical reasons, Cathy had to stay close to home. We did however go to the temple for our 1130 Endowment session.

Come Follow Me 

D&C 112:20 Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name’s sake unto you.

"To know the Lord Jesus Christ, we and all mankind must receive Him. And to receive Him, we must receive His servants. 

To receive Him, we must receive the fulness of His gospel, His everlasting covenant, including all those truths or laws, covenants, and ordinances needed for mankind to enter back into the presence of God."

 Elder John M. Madsen of The Seventy

101025, Friday

Daily Vitals: Weight: 227.9, GMI: 6.6, Steps (previous day): 8,030, Blood Pressure, 122/72, 74 Reported Sleep 6:01 (62)

Journal Entry

Come Follow Me 

D&C 112:13 And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.

"…[W]e find healing and relief only when we bring ourselves to the feet of the Great Physician, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We must lay down our weapons of rebellion (and we each know what they are). We must lay down our sin, vanity, and pride. We must give up our desires to follow the world and to be respected and lauded by the world. We must cease fighting against God and instead give our whole hearts to Him, holding nothing back. Then He can heal us. Then He can cleanse us from the venomous sting of sin."

Elder Patrick Kearon, Apostle